Automatic electric switch



June 18, 1946. McGOwAN 2,402,336-

I AUTOMATIC ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed may 23, 1944 7 v E TOR. A F 01 1, lvic gif 1 ATTORNEYS Patented June 18, 1946 OFFICE AUTOMATIC ELECTRIC SWITCH George Leo McGowan, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Application May 23, 1944, Serial No. 536,991

InC

Claims.

This invention relates to automatic switches, and more particularly to switches of the type serving to close an auxiliary circuit upon failure of current in a main circuit.

While by no means limited to such use, the invention is particularly applicable to automotive or railway vehicles, where it is highly desirable to constantly maintain running or signal lights in operation, as, for example, the headlights of automobiles.

The general object of the invention is to provide an automatic switoh'so arranged that upon failure of the usual current supply, or lights, in the main circuit, an auxiliary circuit, containing an emergency source of current, and/or an emergency set of lights, will be immediately closed.

More specifically, an object of the invention is to provide a construction of the above character in which, after normal conditions have been restored and the auxiliary circuit is switched off. it cannot be brought back on again without the main circuit being first put into operation.

In order that the invention may be readily understood, reference is had to the accompanying drawing forming part of this specification and in which:

Fig. l is a view of my improved switch as it appears when no current is flowing in either the main or auxiliary circuits.

Fig. 2 is a similar view, showing the parts in the position which they occupy when the main circuit is energized, and

Fig. 3 is a similar view, showing the position which the parts will occupy when current in the main circuit has failed and the auxiliary circuit is closed.

Although my improved switch may be constructed in many different forms with the parts disposed in any desired position relative to the horizontal, I have shown, by way of example. the parts supported on a horizontal base D, made of insulating material. On this base is mounted. an electromagnet A having a core A, shown as extending through the base and as threaded at its lower end to receive a clamping nut A".

An angle-shaped bracket is also mounted on the base and is shown as comprising a vertical portion B and a horizontal portion C, the latter lying flat upon the base and having an opening through which the core of the electromagnet passes in order to hold it in position.

The terminals of the winding of the magnet A may be attached to binding and F, mounted 0n the base D.

The vertical portion B constitutes a post or electroposts E anada May 26, 1943 2 standard, at the upper end of which is pivotally mounted an armature G adapted to co-operate with the electromagnet A. A spring H, either built into the pivot or connected to a projecting end of the armature, as shown, is arranged to move the armature into the position illustrated in Figs, 1 and 3, when the electromagnet is deenergized. A counter-weight may be employed in place of the spring.

Near the free end of the armature G is formed a notch M which is adapted .to engage and hold the lower end of a lever L pivotally mounted on an arm N projecting laterally from a post or column J. Also carried by the column J, at a point above the arm N, is an insulated contact K, and a spring N, either built into the pivot of the lever, or arranged as shown, serves to move the lever into and to hold it in engagement with the contact K.

It will be understood that the main circuit, containing the usual source of current and lights, is connected to the binding posts E and F, so that the winding of the electromagnet A is in series with such lights. It will also be understood that an auxiliary circuit, containing an emergency source of current or emergency lights, or both, is provided, one side of this circuit being connected to the contact K and the other side connected to the standard B. A convenient method of making this latter connection is by means of the clamping nut A" at the lower end of the core of the electromagnet.

The normal position of the parts, when no current i being used, is shown in Fig. l, and from an inspection of this figure it will be seen that the armature G is in its uppermost position, with the notch M engaging the lower end of the lever L, and holds it out of engagement with the contact K.

When the main circuit is closed and current turned on. the electromagnet becomes energized, thus pulling down the armature into the position shown in Fig. 2. When the armature is thus pulled down the lever L is released from the notch M and the spring N throws it over into engagement with the contact K as shown. This engagement, however, does not serve to close the auxiliary circuit.

If, however, current in the main circuit fails. the electromagnet A becomes de-energized and releases the armature G which is thereupon moved upwardly by the spring H into engagement with the lower end of the lever L. This closes the auxiliary circuit from contact K through lever L and armature G in series, and

thence to the clamping nut A". It will thus be seen that the pivoted lever L constitutes a c nnecting link between the contact K and the armature G, and that engagement of his lever, both with the contact K and the armature G is necessary in order to complete the auxiliary circuit.

Upon the main circuit being restored, the operator resets the parts into the position shown in Fig. 1, thus switching off the auxiliary circuit, and such auxiliary circuit will not be again switched on until the main circuit is first thrown into operation, in order to energize the electromagnet as shown in Fig. 2. Thi arrangement makes it necessary for the apparatus to be manually reset in order to obtain lights to start with, so as to make certain of having a reserve for use on the road.

In other words, the idea is to prevent the auxiliary circuit from acting in case the main circuit is out of order to start with.

In installations in which the current i required to be diverted from one light to another, as for example, in switching from bright to dim headlights, the switch can be constructed so as to provide protection for each light by providing the electromagnet with two coils or windings, one of which will be connected in circuit with each light.

What I claim is:

1. An automatic switch comprising an electromagnet, adapted to be connected with one circuit, an armature for aid electromagnet, fixed support, a lever pivotally mounted on support, and a contact arranged to be engaged by said lever, the end of said lever being positioned to be engaged by said armature, and said armature, lever and contact, when interengaged, serving to close another circuit.

2. An automatic switch comprising an electromagnet, an armature for said electromagnet, a pivoted lever, a contact, means operating, when said electromagnet is energized, to move said lever into and hold it in engagement with said contact, and means operating, when said electromagnet i de-energized, to move said armature into engagement with said lever, thus serving to connect said armature, lever and contact, in a series circuit.

3. An automatic switch comprising an electromagnet, an armature for said electromagnet having a notch, a pivoted lever having its end normally held in said notch when said e1ectromagnet is (fie-energized, a contact, means operating, upon energization of said electromagnet, to release said lever from said notch and move it into engagement with said contact, and means operating, when said electromagnet i again de-energiZed, to move said armature into engagement with said lever, thus completing a circuit through said contact.

4. The combination with a main circuit, of an electromagnet included therein, an armature for said electromagnet, a fixed support, a lever pivotally mounted on said support and adapted to engage said armature when said electromagnet is ole-energized, a contact also arranged to be engaged by said lever, and an auxiliary circuit including said contact, lever and armature in series.

5. The combination with a main circuit, of an electromagnet included therein, an armature for said electromagnet, a contact, a fixed support, and a lever pivoted to said support and forming a connecting link between said contact and a!- mature when said electromagnet is de-energized, and an auxiliary circuit including said contact, lever and armature in series.

GEORGE LEO MCGOWAN. 

